Are We Hearing God’s Voice?

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 15:11 (ESV)

We were recently studying something Jesus said at least six times in the New Testament: “Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

These words sound simple, almost obvious. As humans, of course we have ears. It seems only natural that since we have ears, we hear.

But do we?

What Is True Hearing?

How many times have you sat in sanctuaries or Sunday School classes where God’s Word was preached clearly and faithfully as people nod along, say “Amen,” even take notes?

But later, it’s like many folks were in completely different services. The truth was shared plainly… but it didn’t seem to land.

Instead of faith, perhaps they felt afraid, or worse – indifferent.

Instead of hope, some were still replaying everything the doctor said at their last appointment, focusing on everything happening in politics or the economy, everything that’s wrong.

Instead of freedom, some people keep holding on the same old explanations.

And that’s not pointing a finger. If we’re honest, most of us catch ourselves doing the same thing.

Dulled Hearing and the Dulled Heart

There’s a kind of dullness that can creep over the heart. The writer of Hebrews talked about this in Hebrews 5:11—wanting to say more, but finding it hard because the people had become “dull of hearing.”

Jesus described hearts that had grown dull in Matthew 13:15, ears that barely hear, eyes that close themselves. That always used to sound extreme to me. Now it feels uncomfortably familiar.

Here’s an uncomfortable question: How many truths have you listened to… but not really heard?

How many times did God speak, and but you filtered His voices through my fears instead of faith?

How long did it take for certain Scriptures to move from your head to your heart?

Jesus didn’t say, “Whoever has ears, understands everything.” He said, “Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Hearing those words the way he meant them isn’t passive. It’s responsive. It’s humble.

Dullness of hearing isn’t an intellectual issue. It’s a heart issue.

Drawing Near

James tells us in James 4:8 to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us. That’s not poetic fluff—it’s a promise. But in the same breath, we’re told to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts.

That part isn’t as comfortable. It means sometimes the reason we’re not hearing clearly isn’t because God isn’t speaking. It’s because we’ve let other things crowd our heart.

Unforgiveness. Hidden sin. Double-mindedness. A need for control.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote that we will seek Him and find Him when we seek Him with all our heart. Not half our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). Not distracted by the world. Not as “Plan B.”

And that’s where this gets personal.

Hearing God is Personal

It’s possible to be born again and still carry around feelings and thoughts that muffle God’s voice. We can receive good teaching for years and still resist the very truth that would set us free. Not because we don’t love Jesus—but because we haven’t fully surrendered the deepest parts of our hearts.

God told His people through the prophets that they hadn’t “inclined” their ears to hear, even though He kept sending messengers. That phrase is important—inclined their ears. It means that God’s people were not willing to lean into God enough to hear Him.

Maybe that’s what Jesus was really inviting us to do. To lean in. Soften. To let the Word confront us instead of just comforting us.

If you’ve felt distant from God lately, or stuck in the same cycle, it might not be that He’s silent. It might just be time to draw a little closer. To ask Him, honestly, “Lord, is there anything in my heart that’s keeping me from hearing You clearly?”

God isn’t looking to shame us. He’s looking to free us.

Because the truth really can set us free—but only when we let it all the way in.

So, this week, here’s a simple prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for hearing my prayer. Please help me hear Your voice in all I do.

Give me ears to hear—not just sounds, but Your truth. Help my heart be open, humble, and ready to receive all You need me hear.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

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